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Married at First Sight – Meet the Newlyweds

OK! introduces you to the 10 brave souls taking the plunge for love…

Newlyweds

CRAIG: ‘I MIGHT WALK’

Hairdresser Craig, 41, knows what he wants. ‘Basically I just want to date myself,’ he jokes. However, there’s a chance the Sydneysider mightn’t find out if his MAFS mate is his perfect match when drama erupts pre-wedding and he threatens, ‘Turn off the camera or I’m going to walk.’ Eek!

BELLA: ‘FIRST NIGHT SEX IS FINE’

Bubbly Queensland radio announcer Bella, 30, is ‘hoping’ that her hubby will warrant some under-the-cover action on the first night. Putting love on hold for her career, she’s now ready to find her very own Mr Big… yep; she lives life according to her fave show, Sex and the City.

ANDY: ‘I’M AN UNDIE FOLDER’

British-born marketing director Andy, 40, will participate in MAFS’s first same-sex marriage in NZ, where it’s legal. ‘How dare a… government tell me the purest of emotions – which is love – is wrong,’ he proclaims. His lucky beau can look forward to a life of order, ‘I box fold my underwear,’ says the self-confessed ‘neat freak’.

MONICA: ‘I’VE BEEN ON 150 DATES IN ONE YEAR!’

A tragic past has left Monica struggling to find the perfect man. Trying to find ‘the one’ has been a commitment in itself for account and project manager Monica, who went on 150 dates in the year before she applied for Married at First Sight.

‘I’m not crazy,’ laughs the 28-year-old, who wants to clarify, ‘These were first dates, I’m not sleeping with 150 men!’

The NSW beauty says she’s had a tough time finding her perfect partner because of a difficult upbringing.

‘My dad passed away from a heart attack when I was seven,’ she shares. ‘It happened in front of me on the night we came back from a family holiday,’ she explains, adding, ‘With eight children in the family, I went through quite a bit growing up and I’ve had to rely on myself, so as an adult it’s been hard for me to show vulnerability and to let people in.’

As a nod to her Dutch father, Monica requested tulips, a flower popular in Holland, to decorate her wedding.

‘I almost cried when I saw them because it meant that he could in some way be included in the day,’ she tells.

DAVE: ‘I USED TO BE 129 KILOS!’

In 2011 Victorian Dave, 28, had knee reconstruction surgery and lost a lot of weight. ‘Things changed for me when I dropped to 97 kilos, especially when it came to dating,’ says the golfing sales manager. ‘Before that there was a lack of confidence, but since I wouldn’t say “dating addict”, but…,’ he laughs.

MICHAEL: ‘I HAVE A SON OVERSEAS’

Michael, 32, is hoping to find someone he can spend the rest of his life with.

‘I’ve tried every dating avenue with no luck, all I’ve found are casual relationships,’ he tells.

The New Zealand-born fashion entrepreneur moved to Australia six years ago, shortly after the birth of his son, who still lives in his hometown with his mother.

‘It was very hard to leave him to come to Australia, but I’m now able to provide him with a nice lifestyle, and I get to go back to see him every three months,’ he shares; explaining that the child’s mother and his former fiancée has requested their son remain anonymous.

‘It would’ve been nice [to have had him at the wedding],’ Michael admits, but introducing his son to new partners is always something he’s been hesitant about.

‘I’ve only introduced my son to one partner in the past,’ he tells, and says he hopes his new MAFS wife is child-friendly.

‘I’m a little bit nervous about telling her about my son because it has been an issue before,’ he admits.

JESS: ‘I’VE BEEN HURT’

Banking officer Jess’s biggest fear when it comes to love? ‘I look horrible and no one will love me ever,’ tells the 31-year-old. Having been single for two years, this bold newlywed isn’t afraid to call it as she sees it – let’s hope hubby-to-be appreciates her honesty!

KELLER: ‘I HAVE A SPECIAL TATTOO’

After six years in the navy, Kellar, 26, has left that life behind to settle down. He’s heavily tattooed, but his partner needn’t be put off. ‘I’ll never do my face, that’s the money maker,’ he laughs. There’s also a special heart tattoo downstairs. ‘I got it when I was 17, and I don’t regret a thing,’ he tells.

NICOLE: ‘MY DAD’S AN AMPUTEE’

Marrying a stranger without her dad and ‘bad boy detector’ by her side was a huge concern for Nicole, 28. The primary school teacher’s father had his leg amputated because of XX three months before the wedding, so couldn’t be there. ‘His opinion means a lot to me, so it was a huge loss not having him there.’

MARK: ‘I’M LOOKING FOR A SEXY NERD’

Firefighter Mark is sure to set the heart of his new squeeze alight with his quirky side. Underneath his suave wedding suit hides some cheeky comic book boxers, a nod to his nerd side which the 30-year-old hopes his partner also shares, saying his ideal spouse would be a ‘sexy nerd.’ Look out!

Watch Married at First Sight Monday and Tuesday, 8:40pm, Channel 9

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